Pontevedra, Spain — The 16th stage of the 2025 Vuelta a España saw a dramatic turn of events when pro-Palestinian protesters blocked the final climb at Castro de Herville, forcing race organizers to shorten the stage by 8 kilometers. Colombian rider Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers) claimed victory with a sprint finish, while Jonas Vingegaard successfully retained his overall lead. Reuters
The disruption came amid a series of protests throughout the tour, including the earlier neutralization of Stage 11 in Bilbao where no winner was declared due to similar roadblocks. Reuters
According to AP News, protesters had blocked the road approximately 3 km from the scheduled finish line, leading officials to treat the 8 km mark as the stage conclusion. This marked Bernal’s first Vuelta stage win and a milestone return to form following a serious 2022 crash. AP News
Race director Javier Guillén condemned the disruptions as illegal and assured fans that the race would continue through to Madrid as planned, citing no viable alternative for the final stages. Reuters
Impact Summary:
- Protests Halt Stages: The Vuelta’s key stages, 11 and 16, were affected by pro-Palestinian demonstrations, raising concerns about rider safety and race integrity.
- Bernal’s Victory: Egan Bernal took the stage win at the improvised finish, marking a triumphant comeback post-injury.
- Race Continuity Assured: Organizers reaffirmed their commitment to reaching Madrid, despite the disruptions being labeled as illegal.
